MARGAO
The Goa Womens Forum (GWF), a collective of women volunteers of civic and consumer forums, will observe a women’s rights and consumer rights awareness fortnight from March 8 on wards to mark International Women’s Day.
The focus of the rights awareness fortnight is to highlight the violation of rights faced by women and to focus ​on the need for effective redressal of the grievances by the government agencies concerned. The fortnight will culminate on March 22 (World Water Day).
GWF has been receiving complaints from women on issues of sexual harassment, domestic violence, human trafficking, promotion of sex tourism, discrimination based on gender and disability, harassment and discrimination as senior citizens, in-action and delay by police personnel, ​among​ others. ​
GWF convenor Lorna Fernandes said the NGO has also received complaints from women on ATM and bank frauds, cheating by e-commerce websites and online shopping portals, denial of LPG subsidy, denial of food grains quota at fair price shops, sale of fake saplings by illegal plant nurseries, misleading advertisements by fake medical practitioners etc.
During the rights awareness fortnight, GWF volunteers will hold protest and awareness actions, lead delegations to various authorities, ​submit memorandums, hold safety camps, participate in workshops, hold discussions, distribute leaflets, ​display posters and banners and hold site inspections.
Volunteers will also meet the district collectors and consumer protection officers.
